Liquid-sealed valve.



D. C. DAVIS. LIQUID SEALED VALVE. APPLICATION m zu MAY 4. 1915.

Patented Feb. 13, 1917.

3 SHEETS-SHEET l.

INVENTOR 04m 6 0am WITNESSES ATTORNEY D. C. DAVIS.

LIQUID SEALED VALV APPLICATION FILED MAY 4.

1,21 5,497. Patented Feb. 13, 1917.

3 SHEETS-SHEET 2- ATTORNEY UNITED STATES PATENT oriucn.

DAVID C. DAVIS, OF SWISSVALE, PENNSYLVANIA, ASSIGNOR TO WESTINGHOUSE ELECTRIC AND MANUFACTURING COMPANY, A CORPORATION OF PENNSYL- VANIA.

LIQUID-SEALED VALVE.

Specification of Letters Patent.

Patented Feb. 13, 1917.

Application filed May 4, 1915. Serial No. 25,778.

To all whom it may concern:

Be it known that 1, DAVID C. VDAVIS, a citizen of the United States, and a resident of Swissvale, in the county of Allegheny and State of Pennsylvania, have invented a new and useful Improvement in Liquid-Sealed Valves, of which the following is a specification.

My invention relates to valves adapted to provide and maintain an extremely tight closure in a fluid passage, such, forexample, as that connecting a mercury vapor rectifier and a pump.

The object of my invention is to provide a device of the character described which shall be simple and compact in structure and highly effective in operation.

Referring to the accompanying drawings, Figure 1 is a side view, in section, of one form of my invention, and Fig. 2 is a plan view of the device shown in Fig. 1; Figs. 3 and 5 are, respectively, side and front views in section, of a modification of my in vention, and Figswl and 6 are plan views, in elevation and in section, of the device shown in Figs. 3 and 5;;Fig. 7 is a side view of another modification of my device, partially in section and partially in elevation; Fig. 8 is a plan view of the plunger member of Fig. 7 together with its associated operating means; Fig. 9 is a side view, partially in section and partially in elevation, of still another modification of my invention; and Fig. 10 is a front view, partially. in section and partially in elevation, of the valve plug of the device shown in Fig. 9.

In the operation of vapor electric devices provided with highly exhausted containers, such, for example, as mercury-vapor rectifiers, it is necessary that some means be provided for effectually opening and closing the passage between the interior of the container and the pump, as the slightest amount of leakage seriously aflects the operation of the device. In U. S. Patent No. 1.001355, granted August 22, 1911, to the Westinghouse Electric & Manufacturing Company on an application filed by Yasudiro Sakai, is disclosed a valve adapted for the above purposes, said valve being provided with an ordinary tapered rotary valve plug for initially closing the fluid passage and, in addition, with means for introducing sealing liquid above said tapered plug when the device is closed, in order to establish a tight and permanent seal. The tightness of'the tapered plug is not necessarily such as will maintain a high degree of vacuum but said plug operates merely as a preliminary closure and as a retaining means for the sealing fiuid which is subsequently introduced into the 7 device. Sealing fluid is introduced into a tube at the upper portion of the valve at the time of closing and is withdrawn therefrom into a lower tube or reservoir at the time of opening. The Sakai valve is highly effective in operation but it is troublesome to maintain the proper amount of mercury in the two reservoirs. By my invention, I provide a structure which performs all the functions of the Sakai valve with a single small pool of sealing liquid inaccessibly disposed within the body of the valve itself and which is operated in the desired manner by auxiliary apparatus associated with the operating means of the main valve or mechanical closure.

- Referring to the drawings for a more detailed understanding of -my invention, I have shown, at 11 in Fig. 1, a portion of the wall of an evacuated container, such, for example, as a mercury-vapor rectifier. A valve casing 12 is mounted on the wall 11 by suitable means and sealed tightly thereinto as, for example, by a mercury seal 13. The valve casing '12 is provided with a fiat seat 14 and a rotatable plug 15 is provided to rotate upon the fiat seat 14. If the member 12 is of steel, as is the usual practice, I find that an'extremely close ground fit may be established between the members 12 and 15 at 14 if the member 15 is composed of a vitreous material, such, for example, as porcelain, provided with a glazed surface in order to make it impervious to gases. A retaining member 16 is mounted on the valve casing 12 and extends over the upper portion of the body 15. A saddle member 17 is provided to bear on the upper surface of the member 15 and is forced downwardly by a spring 18 bearing against the inner portion of the member 16, whereby the member 15 will be held in close engagement with the piece 14. A fluid passage is provided through the valve casing 12 by a suitable opening 19, terminating in an eccentrically disposed port 20 in the seat 14. The member 15 is provided with a gas passage 21 terminating in an eccentrically disposed port 22 in the lower face thereof and in a centrally disposed port 23 in the upper face thereof. The member 1'7 is provided with a centrally disposed opening 24 in which is mounted a tube 25 for connection to the pump. A sleeve 26 extends into the member 15 and also into the member 17, causing a close registration of the coacting ports thereof. A body of mercury or other suitable sealing fluid is contained in the interior of the member 16 and serves to effectually seal the exposed edges of all the joints between members 12, 15 and 17. The member 15 may be moved so as to cause the port 22 to register with the port 20, or to cause a closure of the gas passage, by a suitable wrench introduced into the upper portion of the member 16 and engaging suitable openings in the upper face of the member 15, as is shown in connection with Fig. 2. The device described to this point forms no part of my invention but is described and claimed in copending application Serial No. 844,105, filed June 9, 1914, by E. E. Rose and assigned to the Nesting-house Electric &Manufacturing Company. 1

Referring to the distinctive features of my invention, the frame 12 is provided with a centrally disposed well or depression 28 in line with the axis of rotation of the member 15. A sleeve 29 is suitably attached to the member 15, as, for example, by cement, as shown at 30, and extends downwardly into the well or depression 28. The inner face of the sleeve 29 is provided with two helical grooves 21. A plunger 32 is provided to substantially fill the well 28 and is provided with radial pins 33 at the lower portion thereof for engagement with the helical grooves 31. A squared stem 34 extends downwardly from the lower face of the member 32 into a correspondingly shaped auxiliary well or depression 35. A body of suitable sealing liquid, such, for example, as mercury, is provided to fill the well 28.

Having thus described the structure of my invention, the operation is as follows: As shown, the valve is in its open position, and free communication is provided between the interior of the container and the pump, and the member 32 is at the upper extent of its travel, the pins 33 occupying the upper portion of the grooves 31.

lVhen it is desired to close the fluid passage, a suitable wrench is inserted in the member 16 to engage the rotating member 15, and said rotating member is turned through substantially 180, so that the port is removed to the maximum possible distance from the port 20. The sleeve 29 turns with the member 15. The member 32 is restrained from turning by the engagement of the stem 34 with the sides of the well 35. The action of the pins 33 in the grooves 31 therefore forces the body 32 downwardly into the well 28, expelling the mercury therefrom. The device is so designed that the mercury does not begin to overflow from the well 28 until the ports 20 and 22 have ceased to register with each other. The subsequent motion of the valve to the position wherein the ports 20 and 22 are diametrically opposite each other serves to expel nearly all the mercury and provide an effective liquid seal between the passage 21 and the passage 19, in addition to the close mechanical closure provided by the ground joints between the upper face of the body 12 and the lower face of the body 15. The re-' verse operation takes place in a similar man ner. The movement of the member 15 to close the passage first raises the body 32, allowing the sealing mercury to return to the well 28, and the ports 22 and 20 are then brought into registry, as is desired for a free gas passage. It will be observed that a certain definite small amount of mercury is used continually for the sealing operation, and the inconvenience of continually supplying and manipulating mercury, inherent in the use of the Sakai device above referred to, is obviated.

Referring to the form of my invention shown in Figs. 3 to 6, inclusive, a valve casing 36 is mounted in the wall of a container in a similar manner to that shown in Fig. 1. The casing 36 is provided with a suitable gas passage 37 terminating in a port 38 in one of the lateral faces thereof. The member 36 is also provided with a gas passage 39 terminating, at one end, in a port 40 ad jacent the port 38, and lying in the same horizontal plane, and terminating, at the other end, in an opening or niche 41 opening into the same lateral face of the member 36. The gas passage 39 preferably slopes downwardly from the port 40 to the niche 41. A gas passage leads upwardly from the niche 41 to a suitable pump attaching means shown at 42. An auxiliary casing member .44 is mounted on the side of the member 36 and provides a substantially semi-circular chamber on the face thereof, as shown in Fig. 5. A rotating valve member 46 is pivoted to a point midway between the ports 38 and 40 and lies entirely within the chamber formed by the member 44. The valve member 46 carries a quadrant shaped plunger 47 adapted to substantially fill one-half the chamber formed by the member 44. The lower portion of said chamber is provided with a pool 54 of mercury or other suitable sealing fluid. The valve member 46 is pro vided with a gas passage 48 terminating in two ports 49 and 50 spaced apart by a distance equal to that separating the ports 38 and 40. The valve member 46 is provided 1 with suitable operating means 51 projecting out through a seal 52. A spring 53 is associated with the operating means 51 for forcing the valve member 46 against its seat.

Having thus described the structure of the device shown in Figs. 3 to 6, inclusive, the operation is as follows: As shown, the valve is in the open position, and free communication is furnished between the interior of the container and the pump by means of the passages 37, 38, 50, 39 and 43 and the tube 42. The quadrant 47, associated with the valve member 46, is out of the mercury pool 54. When it is desired to close the gas passage, the member 46 is rotated by the handle 51 in a counterclockwise direction in Fig. 5. The ports 49 and 50 of the passage 48 first turn out of registry with the ports 38 and 40. The descent of the quadrant plunger 47 into the pool of mercury 54 then forces the mercury into the niche 41 andup to fill the passage 39. There is provided, therefore, a mechanical closure of the gas passage at the ground seat of the plug member 46 and also a liquid closure or seal by the filling of the passage 39. The reverse operation is similar. The movement of the member 37 out of the mercury 54 first causes the level of the latter to fall, thus clearing the passage 39, and the ports 49 and 50 are then brought into registry with the ports 40 and 38.

Referring to the form of my invention shown in Figs. 7 and 8, a valve casing 55 is provided with a seat 56 and with a gas passage 57. A valve plug 58 is adapted to be rotated on the seat 56 and is provided with a gas passage 59 for connecting ports 60 and 61 in the seat 56. The seat 56 is on the upper face of a boss 62 extending up out of a pool of mercury 63 carried by a suitable casing 64. A handle 65 is provided for rotating the valve member 58, and a bevel gear 66 is associated with said operating means. A similar bevel gear 67 is mounted to mesh with the gear 66 and carries a quadrant shaped plunger 68 adapted to be immersed in the pool 63. The shape of the plunger is clearly shown in Fig. 8. The port 61 in the seat 56 is the termination of a gas passage 69 which connects with the space within the casing 64 and is in alinement with a gas passage 70 leading to the pump. As shown, the quadrant plunger 68 is out of the pool 63, and a free gas passage is established via the openings 57, 59, 69 and 70. When it is de sired to close the gas passage, the member 59 is turned through 90 by the handle 65. The passage is first closed mechanically at the ports 60 and 61, and the engagement of the gears 66 and 67 then forces the plunger 68 into the mercury 63, raising the level of the latter and causing it to flow up into the passage 69 and the lowerportion of the pasplunger for raising the level of the liquid field and depend entirely upon the action of gravity for performing this function. A valve casing 71 is provided with a gas passage 72 terminating in a port 73 formed in a seat 74 on a lateral face thereof. A valve member 75 is mounted to rotate in contact with the seat 74 and is provided with a gas passage 76 adapted to aline with the port 73 when the member 75 is in the proper position. A rim 77 on the casing 71 carries a mercury pool 78 and in this mercury pool is submerged a member 79 provided with a gas passage 80 adapted to be in alinement with the passage 76 at its lowerend when the passage 76 is in alinement with the port 74. The passage 80 leads to a pump. A suitable spring 81 is provided to force the member 79 against the member 75 and, in turn, to force the latter into close engagement with the seat 74. A chamber 82 is provided within the member 75 and is connected, by a suitable passage, to the gas passage 76. A suitable amount of mercury is contained within the chamber 82. The member 75 may be rotated in any suitable manner, as for eX- ample, by engagement between a suitable wrench 83 and notches in the outer surface thereof, as shown in Fig. 10.

The operation of the device is as follows: As shown, the gas has a free path from the container to the pump via the passages 72, 76 and 80, and the mercury within the chamber 82 is in the lower portion thereof. When it is desired to close the gas passage, the wrench 83 is applied to the member 75 to rotate it through a total distance of 180. The gas passage is first broken in a mechanical way by carrying the passage 76 out of alinement with the passages 73 and 80. When the gas passage 76 reaches the, lower portion of its travel, as shown in Fig. 10, the mercury in the chamber 82 flows into said passage, filling it completely and causing a tight liquid seal to be applied to both mechanical joints at the two faces of the member 75. In like manner, when the member 75 is turned back to its original position, the mercury first flows from the passage 76 into the chamber 82, and said passage 76 is then brought into engagement with the other gas passages, and free communication is thus established to the pump from the interior of the container.

While, throughout this case, I have described my gas valve as of preeminent utility in connection with vapor rectifiers on account of the extremely high degree of vacuum which must be maintained in devices of this character, I wish it to be distinctly understood that it is capable of general application wherever a simple, compact valve is desired for effectually closing a fluid passage.

\Vhile I have described my invention in several preferred forms, it is obvious to those skilled in the art that it is susceptible of various minor changes and modifications without departing from the spirit thereof, and I desire, therefore, that no limitations shall be placed thereupon except such as are imposed by the prior art or are specifically set forth in the appended claims.

I claim as my invention:

1. The combination with a valve provided with a mechanical closure, of a body of liquid associated therewith, and automatic means whereby, when said valve is closed, said liquid is moved to seal said closure, and whereby when said valve is opened, said liquid is removed from the point of closure.

2. The combination with a valve provided with a fluid passage therethrough, of a mechanical closure for said passage, 'a body of sealing liquid, and means whereby, when said mechanical closure is closed, said liquid is moved to fill a portion of said passage and whereby, when said closure is opened, said liquid is removed from said passage.

3. The combination with a valve provided with a fluid passage therethrough, of a mechanical closure for said passage, a body of sealing liquid, and means whereby, after said mechanical closure is closed, said liquid is moved to fill a portion of said passage, and whereby, before said closure is opened, said liquid is removed from said passage.

4. In a valve, means for mechanically stopping the flow of a fluid through a pas sage, and means for subsequently automatically closing said passage by a liquid seal.

5. In a valve provided with means for closing a fluid passage both by a mechanical closure and by a liquid seal, means for automatically opening said liquid seal before said mechanical closure.

6. In a valve provided with a mechanical closure for a fluid passage, operating means therefor, a liquid seal, and means associated with said operating means for applying said liquid seal to said fluid passage after the operation of the mechanical closure.

7. In a valve provided with a mechanical closure and with a liquid seal for the fluid passage, operating means for said mechanical closure, and automatic means associated with said operating means for opening said liquid seal before said mechanical closure.

8. In a valve provided with a mechanical closure and with a. liquid seal for the fluid passage, operating means for said mechanicalclosure, and means associated with said mechanical means for closing said liquid seal subsequent to the closing of said mechanical closure and for opening said liquid seal before said mechanical closure.

9. A valve provided with a coacting mechanical closure and inaccessible liquid seal for the fluid passage.

10. valve provided with a mechanical closure for the fluid passage and with a liquid seal supplementary thereto, said seal being provided by a body of inaccessible liquid.

11. The combination with a valve comprising means for closing a fluid passage by a liquid seal, of means for first operating a mechanical closure for said fluid passage in order to restrain the liquid of said seal.

12. The combination in a valve including means for closing a fluid passage by a liquid seal, of means for providing a mechanical closure for said fluid passage to restrain the liquid of said seal, and means for breaking said liquid seal and otherwise restraining the liquid thereof before said mechanical closure is opened.

13. The combination with a valve provided with a mechanical closure having suitable operating means, of a pool of sealing liquid associated therewith, a plunger attached to said operating means and arranged to be submerged in said pool, when said closure is operated, whereby the level of the liquid in said pool is raised and a liquid seal applied to the members of the mechanical closure. .1

In testimony whereof, I have hereunto subscribed by name this 28th day of April,

DAVID C. DAVIS.

Copies of this patent may be obtained for five cents each, by addressing the Commissioner of Patents, Washington, D. C. 

